Sturm, Ruger lays off roughly 80 New Hampshire workers amid market headwinds

Sturm, Ruger confirmed last week that it cut staff at its Newport, New Hampshire, facility as part of company-wide "workforce adjustments," a move that directly affects one of Sullivan County’s largest employers. Company leadership framed the reductions as a cost and production realignment meant to stabilize operations as the firearms market softens.

Company spokesman Rob Werkmeister said, "The reductions were taken to address cost misalignments and balance production across facilities." New CEO Todd Syfert, in a letter filed with regulators, described the decisions as strategic: "It is important to note that we are making these strategic decisions now - thoughtfully and intentionally - so that Ruger is positioned for consistency, stability, and profitable growth in 2026 and beyond." Syfert disclosed the measures will incur $3 million in severance and separation-related costs now and are expected to yield $4 million in annual savings going forward.

Local and regional reports identify roughly 80 employees impacted by the cuts, with about half of those reportedly reassigned to manufacturing positions. The company’s SEC-filed letter did not provide a specific headcount for the most recent adjustments, and reporting has cited workforce actions at several points last year and this year. Newport Town Manager Kyle Harris said the town has heard only limited discussion, noting, "Nobody’s really talking."

The Newport facility produces some pistol models, most of Ruger’s revolvers, and select rifle models, making the plant central to local payrolls and to a network of suppliers and service providers in Sullivan County. Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber, speaking about the company’s regional presence, said, "No one from Sturm, Ruger has reached out to me or my office about any of their plans or actions," and added that Ruger has reduced operations and head count in Fairfield over several years.

Syfert pointed to broader industry headwinds as the driver of the adjustments. He said the market is "trending down 10 to 15%," and that background checks were down roughly 4% to date compared to 2024. Despite the cuts, Ruger reported a first-quarter profit of $7.77 million, up from $7.08 million a year earlier. Ruger’s stock closed at $38.43 on Monday, well below a recent high of $47.13 in October and an all-time high of $86.66 in June 2021.

State layoffs rules complicate the local response. The WARN Act does not require notice for every reduction, and Ruger has not submitted WARN notices this year to the state Department of Labor. A DOL spokesperson said Rapid Response "has not been in contact with Sturm, Ruger related to layoffs, but will contact the company to determine if there is a need for services."

For Newport and surrounding Sullivan County communities, the immediate questions are how many positions remain open, which roles were eliminated versus reassigned, and whether suppliers and local businesses will see reduced demand. Company leaders say they are also reviewing raw material and inventory management as part of the changes. What comes next will depend on Ruger’s annual results due later this month, local follow-up with the company, and whether state workforce services are requested to help displaced workers transition to new employment.